New President of Chile Pledges to Bar Religious Discrimination

November 5, 1964

SANTIAGO DE CHILE (Nov. 4)

In the presence of Israel’s Foreign Minister Golda Meir, who had come here to represent her Government at the inauguration of Chile’s new President, Eduardo Frei, the country’s new chief executive, pledged here yesterday to keep Chile free of racial, religious or political persecutions.

“Never during my Administration,” President Frei said in his inaugural address, “will we allow any kind of discrimination or ideological persecution.” Mrs. Meir not only felicitated President Frei, bringing to him a special letter of congratulation from Israel’s President Zalman Shazar, but also invited the President to visit Israel.

After the inauguration ceremonies, Mrs. Meir conferred with leaders of the Jewish community and the Zionist movement here. Speaking at the opening of the 44th Chilean Zionist Congress, the Israeli Foreign Minister urged the necessity of increased Jewish immigration to Israel. Other speakers at the opening session of the Congress were Amelia Fleiman, president of the Chilean Zionist Federation, and Gil Sinai, president of the Central Committee of the Chilean Jewish Community.